This Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Garlic Sauce perfectly balanced blend of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and a touch of garlicky goodness has won the hearts of wing lovers everywhere.
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How to make Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Garlic Sauce
Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Garlic Sauce is a sweet and savory wing sauce made with a blend of honey, garlic, and soy flavors. It combines the sweetness of honey with the bold, tangy taste of roasted garlic and the salty richness of soy sauce.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for the sauce:
- Honey – ½ cup
- Soy Sauce – ¼ cup
- Minced Garlic – 3 cloves
- Brown Sugar – 2 tablespoons
- Rice Vinegar – 1 tablespoon
- Cornstarch – 1 tablespoon (optional, for thickening)
- Water – 2 tablespoons
- Chili Flakes (optional) – ½ teaspoon
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your own Honey Garlic Sauce:
- Prepare the Garlic: Start by peeling and finely mincing the garlic cloves. If using pre-minced garlic, measure out 1½ teaspoons and set it aside.
- Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Optional: Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until it achieves your desired thickness.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust for sweetness or saltiness. You can add a little more honey for sweetness or soy sauce for salt, depending on your preference. For a touch of spice, stir in chili flakes at this stage.
- Cool and Store: Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, you can use it immediately or transfer it to an airtight jar. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips for Perfect Honey Garlic Sauce
- Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh garlic and high-quality honey for the best flavor.
- Consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, skip the cornstarch slurry. For a thicker glaze-like sauce, use the slurry and simmer it longer.
- Customizations: Want to make it your own? Add ginger for a slightly zesty flavor or sprinkle sesame seeds for extra texture.
- Pairing Ideas: Drizzle it over crispy chicken wings, toss with vegetables, or use it as a dipping sauce for fries or spring rolls.
Ingredients Substitutes
Sometimes, you may not have all the ingredients on hand, or you might want to tweak this recipe to suit dietary preferences or specific flavors. No worries!
1. Honey
Substitutes: Maple syrup, agave syrup, or brown sugar syrup.
Why Use This?
If you’re vegetarian and avoid honey, or simply don’t have it available, maple or agave syrup are excellent alternatives. These syrups offer similar sweetness with a touch of unique flavor. Brown sugar melted in a small amount of water also works as a honey replacement.
2. Soy Sauce
Substitutes: Tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
Why Use This?
For a gluten-free option, tamari or coconut aminos provide the same rich umami flavor as soy sauce. Liquid aminos can also be used, as they’re equally salty and packed with flavor.
3. Minced Garlic
Substitutes: Garlic powder or garlic paste.
Why Use This?
If fresh garlic isn’t available, garlic powder can be added (use ½ teaspoon of powder for every 1 clove). Garlic paste is another simple substitute—1 teaspoon of paste equals about 1 clove of garlic.
4. Brown Sugar
Substitutes: Granulated white sugar, coconut sugar, or molasses.
Why Use This?
Brown sugar adds depth to the sweetness of the Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Garlic Sauce, but if you’re out of it, granulated white sugar or coconut sugar can work as substitutes. Adding a small amount of molasses (about 1 teaspoon) to granulated sugar will mimic the caramel-like flavor of brown sugar.
5. Rice Vinegar
Substitutes: Apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon juice.
Why Use This?
If you’re missing rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can replace it with slightly different acidic profiles. Alternatively, lemon juice can add a zesty kick while maintaining the tanginess.
6. Cornstarch
Substitutes: Arrowroot powder, potato starch, or flour.
Why Use This?
Cornstarch is commonly used for thickening, but arrowroot powder works equally well and is gluten-free. Potato starch is another alternative. If you don’t mind a slightly heavier texture, all-purpose flour can work—just whisk it smoothly with water first to avoid clumps.
7. Water
Substitutes: Vegetable stock or chicken broth (unsalted).
Why Use This?
Plain water helps to thin out the sauce, but if you want added richness, use light vegetable or chicken stock. Be sure to pick unsalted options, as soy sauce already contributes saltiness to the recipe.
8. Chili Flakes (Optional)
Substitutes: Cayenne pepper, paprika, or sriracha.
Why Use This?
If you want to spice things up but don’t have chili flakes, cayenne pepper or paprika can provide heat. A splash of sriracha adds a flavorful kick with a little sweetness.
Final Thoughts
With this Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Garlic Sauce recipe in hand, you have the secret to one of Buffalo Wild Wings’ beloved sauces.
More Buffalo Wild Wings Recipes:
Ingredients
- Honey – ½ cup
- Soy Sauce – ¼ cup
- Minced Garlic – 3 cloves
- Brown Sugar – 2 tablespoons
- Rice Vinegar – 1 tablespoon
- Cornstarch – 1 tablespoonÂ
- Water – 2 tablespoons
- Chili Flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic: Start by peeling and finely mincing the garlic cloves. If using pre-minced garlic, measure out 1½ teaspoons and set it aside.
- Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Optional: Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until it achieves your desired thickness.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust for sweetness or saltiness. You can add a little more honey for sweetness or soy sauce for salt, depending on your preference. For a touch of spice, stir in chili flakes at this stage.
- Cool and Store: Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, you can use it immediately or transfer it to an airtight jar. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
